Former Wisconsin assistant coach Howard Moore receives standing ovation at game after 2019 car crash – Chicago Tribune

MADISON, Wis. — Former Wisconsin player and assistant coach Howard Moore received his first public standing ovation at the Kohl Center since a 2019 car crash killed his wife and daughter and caused serious injuries.

Wisconsin honored Moore’s family during a ceremony before the Badgers’ 91-83 loss to No. 13 Illinois on Saturday. Moore made a surprise appearance and raised his arms as he was led to midfield by former teammate Rashard Griffith, following a tribute video posted on the scoreboard.

“You could see he was a fighter,” said Tracy Webster, Moore’s former teammate at Wisconsin.

During the halftime ceremony, Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh said the newly constructed men’s basketball offices at the school will be named the Howard Moore Family Men’s Basketball Offices.

“Howard Moore best represents what it means to be a Badger,” McIntosh said. “His love for this university is so deep that his impact on this program is immeasurable and deserves to be commemorated.”

Moore, who took to midfield during the pre-game ceremony, was joined by former teammates Michael Finley, Chris Conger, Shawn Carlin and Webster. Moore was surrounded by Wisconsin’s current team for a photo in front of one of the baskets.

Moore was working as an assistant on Wisconsin coach Greg Gard’s staff when his family was involved in a May 2019 car crash in Washtenaw County, Michigan, that killed his wife, Jennifer, and 9-year-old daughter, Jaidyn.

A 23-year-old woman was driving westbound in the eastbound lanes of a Detroit-area highway when she crashed head-on into the car carrying the Moore family, authorities said. The woman was also killed.

Moore suffered severe burns from the wreck and later suffered a heart attack during his recovery. He was transferred to a long-term care and rehabilitation facility.

His son, Jerell, was 13 when he was injured in a car accident. He spoke to the Kohl Center crowd at halftime, joined by Moore’s brother and parents.

“I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart,” Jerell Moore said. “You have made this journey so much easier for me and my family and our progress and progress so much stronger.”

At the halftime press conference, Moore’s brother Darnell offered an update on his recovery.

“Physically, his legs are getting stronger,” Darnell Moore said. “We’re trying to build strength back into his legs, re-strengthening his core, and doing a lot of physical therapy. … Unfortunately, as you know, cardiac arrest causes loss of oxygen to the brain. We’ve got things to get back to as far as motor skills and things like that. It’s a long journey.”

Moore met with Wisconsin’s current coaching staff before the game.

“He knew where he was,” Gard said. “I know that, he knew where he was. When I saw him before the game, he gave me a big smile and gave me a big hug.”

Howard Moore played at Wisconsin from 1993-95 and served as an assistant coach with the Badgers from 2006-10 and 2016-19. Moore was also the head coach at Illinois-Chicago from 2010-15.

Wisconsin warmed up with “Do Moore” T-shirts on Saturday. Moore 4 Be Moore” and included the number 34, which Moore wore during his playing days. This slogan also appeared on the ceremonial ties worn by the Wisconsin and Illinois teams during the game.